RJD to raise Goa HM's 'derogatory' remarks on Biharis in Parliament

Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 19:08 [IST]

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Patna, Aug 20 (UNI) Castigating Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik for his ''derogatory'' comments against Biharis on the floor of the House, the RJD today announced that it would raise the issue in the coming session of Parliament.

The Goa Home Minister had dubbed Biharis as ''beggars'', saying that ''all beggars would reach Goa from Bihar in case a direct train was introduced between Patna and Goa.'' Describing the statement of Mr Naik as an ''attack on the dignity'' of Biharis, RJD principal general secretary Ramkripal Yadav and former Union Minister Devendra Prasad Yadav said such comments from a Home Minister reflected his ''low'' mental level.

''It is a direct attack on democracy,'' they said, adding that Biharis were labourious and earning their livelihood with dignity.

''The beggars in Goa are the original inhabitants of that place,'' they said and alleged that the Goa government had failed to rehabilitate them.

''In order to divert the attention from the genuine problems and the state government's failure, the Goa Home Minister is making such statements,'' they added.

''Mr Naiks objections to the proposal for introduction of a direct train between Goa and Patna indicates his mental bankruptcy,'' both the leaders said, adding, ''The economy of Goa is solely dependent on tourism and in case the tourists are not allowed to reach there, the people of Goa will starve.'' They suggested Mr Naik to concentrate on addressing the real problems confronting the state like murders, rapes and the ''obscenity which had crippled Goa'', instead of ''making anti-democratic statements'' and said the party would vociferously raise the matter in Parliament.

Senior spokesperson of the party and former Bihar Minister Shakeel Ahmad Khan asked Mr Naik to exercise restraint while speaking and said if such attitude continued against Biharis in future, it would lead to ''serious consequences''.

Meanwhile, the youth wing of the party protested against the comments of Mr Naik and took out a procession and burnt his effigy in the state capital.